so how come it doesn't feel that way?
Contests and Full Fringe Press Releases (sticky post will stay for duration of Fringe)
We’re giving away tons of free tickets for 2009 Toronto Fringe.
There are also full press releases for many shows in the Coming to Toronto Fringe 2009 section.
Toronto Fringe: Fucking Stephen Harper
by Sam Mooney
The full title of this show written and performed by Rob Salerno is Fucking Stephen Harper: How I Sexually Assaulted the 22nd Prime Minister of Canada and Where It Got Me.
Rob’s production company is Ten Foot Pole Productions - Ten Foot Pole Productions is a theatre company dedicated to telling stories about subjects that polite people wouldn’t touch with a ten-foot pole. I wish I’d thought of that.
So, first a warning - if you’re homophobic and/or a big C conservative you’ll be offended by the show.
It was an inauspicious start. We were waiting for the house to open when they announced that there was a slight delay due to technical difficulties. A few minutes later the doors opened and we were asked to fill the seats from the front to the back because the projector wasn’t working and Rob was going to have to use the laptop. The poor man. Can you imagine having to do your amazing power point projection using a laptop - just the laptop, no projector?
Candy Simmons of Afterlife to the rescue! She fixed the projector and the show went on as planned.
Toronto Fringe: TransCanada ‘69
By Sam Mooney
TransCanada ‘69, playing at Royal St George’s Auditorium, is billed as a celebration of ‘the 40th anniversary of the summer of ‘69 with the songs of Neil Young, Joni MItchell, Gordon Lightfoot, … Leonard Cohen.” Colin Godbout is an amazing guitarist.
“Hey, Marilyn”
I don’t know what to make of “Hey, Marilyn” (which recently closed on schedule at the St. Lawrence Center for the Arts, after an eight-day run).
The cast numbers in the double-digits, there is a five-piece band performing on stage, the choreography (by Tracy Cairns-Sharpe) features some elaborately plotted sequences, and there are some terrific players onstage.
But the huge spectrum diffuses the action to the point where “Hey, Marilyn” is just as much about artifice and history as Monroe. Which – in itself – is not a problem. The way so much information is handled here however, is a problem.
Of The Fields Lately - Soulpepper at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts
July 2, 2009
By Kathy Morgan
Last night I went to see Soulpepper’s production of “Of the Fields Lately”, playing at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts, and from the opening scene I was absolutely hooked.
Every once in a while, as theatre patrons, we are fortuitous enough to see a perfect combination of actor and role. I firmly believe that Kenneth Walsh was born to play Jacob Mercer. As a character full of temper and mood swings, it’s a tough part to maintain audience sympathy. However, Walsh is perfect, and I don’t use that word lightly. His charm and sincerity breaks our hearts as he attempts to navigate the world around him.
Toronto Fringe Review - I Am Not Neil Young - Holy Joe’s
By Dana Lacey
Maybe it was the set adorned with a buffalo-themed throw, cowboy hat and totem pole, but I had a feeling I Am Not Neil Young at Holy Joe’s was going to be a source of great cheese. I wasn’t disappointed. I am Not Neil Young offers 60s ballads, group participation and Frank Wilkes with a huge, infectious smile who, after introducing himself, says ‘This is a story about transformation. But who will be transformed? You and or me?” So who is Frank Wilkes? He certainly isn’t Neil Young, but if you close your eyes while he’s singing it’s hard to tell the difference. Read the rest of this entry »
Toronto Fringe Review – It’s Just a Phase
It’s Just a Phase was a pretty great show to start the festival with. I’m never envious of the first show of Fringe, especially not on the first day of Fringe. So, the fact that I enjoyed this performance bodes well for It’s Just a Phase, since it’s only going to get better from here.
Win Free 2009 Toronto Fringe Tickets: Head First
I don’t know if you’ve had the opportunity to see aerial dance, or what I used to call “ribbon dancing” because it looked like the dancers were holding onto huge ribbons to facilitate their movements through the air, but it is a sight to behold.
And, here is your opportunity to behold it for free…
Two tickets to the Friday July 3nd performance, at 11pm of Head First at Theatre Passe Muraille.
To enter the contest, just leave a comment* by 8pm on Friday
More information on the show
Win Free 2009 Toronto Fringe Tickets: Things Base & Weill…Love Can Transpose!
“What happens when you marry words by William Shakespeare to songs by Kurt Weill? Hamlet and Ophelia do the Youkali Tango.”
Come on – you’ve always wanted to see Hamlet and Ophelia do the tango, right. Well, here’s your chance to do it for free!
Two tickets to the Friday July 3nd performance, at 3:30pm of Things Base & Weill…Love Can Transpose! at Theatre Passe Muraille.
To enter the contest, just leave a comment* by 1:30pm on Friday
More information on the show
Win Free 2009 Toronto Fringe Tickets: Afterlife
So, Fringe reviews are rolling in at EYE weekly (man, I’d love to have that many people to write for me…) and one of the few shows getting a five star review is Afterlife.
Lucky for you we have a couple tickets to give away to you for free.
These are two tickets to the Friday July 3nd performance, at 2:00pm of Afterlife at the Glen Morris Theatre
To enter the contest, just leave a comment* by 11am on Friday
More information on the show
Toronto Fringe: My Mother’s Lesbian Jewish-Wiccan Wedding
By Sam Mooney
Go see My Mother’s Lesbian Jewish-Wiccan Wedding playing at Bread and Circuses. It’s fabulous. Don’t take my word for it. Here’s what people were saying as they left the show today -
“That was fabulous”
“Best thing I’ve seen in years”
“This is going to be sold out”
“Great show! It’s going places”